David Beckham made his MLS return last night at Giants Stadium against the Red Bulls, returned from his loan at AC Milan to a Galaxy team threatened by his feud with Landon Donovan. After the latter called him out as a bad teammate, Beckham insists they’ve made up and moved on.

Don’t buy it. After languid play last year and a questionable loan that cost him most of this year, a feud between MLS’ best player and its cash cow threatened L.A.’s chemistry. Only wins can save that, and they got just that in last night’s 3-1 rout. The Red Bulls are the cure for what ails any team.

“We got away from what we weren’t good at doing, talking, and got back to what we are good at doing, which is playing,” said Donovan, who had a goal and an assist after taking a redeye from L.A. following Wednesday night’s ESPYs, where the U.S. National Team was honored.

“We felt collectively being at the ESPYs was a big opportunity. It’s not often soccer is on the front of people’s minds, and right now it seems to be. Not necessarily for the right reasons, but people are talking about itaWe want to seize the momentum.”

Donovan kept the momentum going on many fronts. After three straight 1-0 wins, L.A. added Beckham and put a beating on the sad Red Bulls (2-14-4, 10 pts) on pace for the fewest wins and fewest goals in MLS history.

“I do (feel embarrassed). I feel very sorry and I want to apologize to the fans,” said Red Bull coach Juan Carlos Osorio, who finally had a fairly healthy team for the first time in weeks but still got emasculated “It’s very frustrating.”

Donovan also kept the momentum going of soccer in the news, after saying in Grant Wahl’s The Beckham Experiment “He’s not shown (he’s a good teammate)” and adding “with (him) I’d say no, he wasn’t committed.” Beckham called the attack “unprofessional.” But at least last night, they talked a good game and played an even better one.

Beckham and Donovan played together in the midfield and ran roughshod over the staggering Red Bulls. With the 23,238 booing Beckham’s every touch, the Galaxy carried play from the start.

“It’s nice to have thousands of people watching us, but the most important thing is to get the three points, and we did that _ in style, no less,” said Beckham. “It’s sometimes nice to get the boos. It gives you inspiration, especially when we play like we did: Then the boos go away.”

Beckham has been ripped by far bigger stars than Donovan before, including George Best and Pele, who accused him of being “more of a pop star than a player.” But to his credit, he has usually responded well when doubted.

His red card doomed England in the 1998 World Cup, and made him Public Enemy No. 1 back home. He rebounded the next year by leading Manchester United to an unprecedented treble. The Galaxy can only hope he responds as well for them, and last night was a good start.

Striker Alecko Eskandarian _ a Montvale (NJ) native and son of Cosmos standout Andranik Eskandarian _ scored on a 25-yard full volley just three minutes in. Donovan added a 25-yard golazo of his own, Beckham racing over to hug his verbal adversary and patting him on the head.

“There was never a doubt these guys would work together; but it was certainly a great moment with all the build-up with the so-called questionable relationship,” said L.A. coach Bruce Arena, who brokered their ceasefire. “Certainly it was a nice moment and hopefully there’s going to be more of them.”

Donovan set up winger Eddie Lewis for a 3-0 lead just before the half. Striker Juan Pablo Angel converted an 87th minute penalty for Red Bull, but he saw Galaxy keeper Donovan Ricketts save his 90th-minute penalty, and the Red Bulls became just a footnote in Beckham’s return.

“It’s great to be back. When we put in a performance like that its great. I enjoyed it,” Beckham said. “From what I’ve seen, without a doubt (we can win MLS). There’s still a lot of work to be done, but we came together as a teamaWhen you play together as a team, you saw it (last night). When players work hard for each other, it works.”